SAVANNAH — Live Oak Public Libraries Regional Board of Trustees, with support from the Georgia Public Library Service, has appointed Stephen Whigham as interim library directory, effective immediately, to assist the library during the extended search for a permanent library director.

A news release from the board said the move will allow library administrators to focus on the duties for which they were hired and to continue efforts to increase transparency which began last spring.

Whigham, who is a retired library director, and publisher, has served as the interim library director at five library systems throughout Georgia. He specializes in transition processes and brings decades of library insight and experience.

The Rev. Douglas Harn of Hinesville, chairman of the trustees said, "While we continue to search for the permanent library director, we want to provide all of the support needed to help our beloved library system continue its deliberate progress in addressing issues found in the audits conducted last fall. We’d like to recognize Jason Broughton who has borne the responsibilities of interim library director graciously and with enthusiasm during the last ten months."

Broughton was hired in January 2016 as the assistant director of public services and took on the additional role as interim director in April when Christian Kruse resigned.

Broughton will return to his role as assistant director of public services.